3 Major Lessons I’ve Learned Through Minimalism

I sometimes wonder why we become so attached to materialism. Materialism did not come with us when we came into this world, and surely will not go with us when we leave it. Yet much of our time here on earth is spent thinking about what more we can accumulate.

Over the past four and a half years that I’ve been writing Minimalist Beauty, I’ve been redefining my perspective of what material things I feel I need to have in my life to fully enjoy it. The maintenance of material possessions that we keep is very time consuming. Even the process of decluttering and releasing items that I did not love and need over these years has been extremely time and energy consuming. Keeping everything in its place, organizing, fixing, mending, cleaning, consolidating, releasing, replacing, etc. takes valuable time and mental consideration. It’s almost as if our materialism begins to dictate how we spend our time and energy unconsciously.

The art of simplicity and living with less is truly a gift that we can give ourselves. With a ludicrous world distracting us to define our worth through owning many possessions, and using success for validation, I’ve been reevaluating these false notions to find my own personal balance. Here’s what has been coming up for me.

1. Simple Beauty & Chic Styling Works

When I first began my minimalist lifestyle journey, my focus was to pay off $20,000 in debt which I did, and shared my process here. My financial weakness like some women revolved around beauty products and clothing. I was curious if it was even possible to be a chic minimalist.

Through making so many of my own beauty products over the years, I also learned that I did not even need to use as many beauty products in the first place. My once extensive skin care regimen evolved into a high linoleic oil cleansing regimen, and my once high maintenance curly hair care regime turned into water only hair washing with a few other tips and tricks. My daily skin care and makeup routine now takes 10 minutes, and my daily hair regimen takes about 15 minutes. I still pamper myself with more luxurious beauty treats on occasion, yet I’m not feeling like I need to follow long beauty regimens to create the look that I desire.

My problem with having a closet full of clothing but nothing to wear dissolved when I started creating capsule wardrobes twice a year. I began to pay attention to what pieces really made me feel good, had versatility, and created a polished look effortlessly no matter where I was going. Shopping consignment and thrift stores allowed me to learn from my styling errors without guilt so I could create the best capsule wardrobe that I desire on a very small budget.

With a very specific small wardrobe with 15 key pieces and a few extras, I no longer own frumpy clothing so looking put together is my only other option. I will admit that I do spend a lot of time preparing my capsule wardrobe mainly because I am sharing it with you online. Definitely check out examples of my capsule wardrobe. With my beauty products and capsule wardrobe pieces, I always seeks the best quality that I can afford.

2. Less Items, Less Maintenance, More Time for Myself

The maintenance of our possessions can be a big distraction from doing what we really want to do. You could take the opposite approach and ignore the clutter in your home, yet deep down you may not be truly content. It is almost impossible to ignore the amazing feeling of entering a gorgeous hotel room on vacation which is clean, clear, and ready for new beginnings. Having a beautiful decluttered home feels undeniably good. A decluttered home also creates an energetic opening for new abundance to come into your life.

My home is no where near perfect, yet I honestly now spend less time cleaning up since there is less to clean up. I will admit to being the “queen of consolidation”, and I do have more things that I would like look through again. As time passes and I realize what I actually use and what I don’t, it provides more clarity on what to keep and what to let go of. By living more simply, it is easier to enjoy your surroundings, and focus on what is really important to you in life whether it is spending more time with family and friends, or learning something new.

3. My Focus on Consumerism Switched To Dreaming & Life Purpose

Without constantly needing more beauty products, seeking a better wardrobe, desiring an elaborately and ornately decorated home, as well as not striving for success through the validation of others, all I am left with is thoughts of what I truly desire my life to look like on a much deeper level. What do I really want to contribute to the world? What would bring me lasting joy in life aside from circumstances which I can’t always control? What is my life purpose?

Women are great multitaskers, and we also have a lot of responsibility in our families. My focus on living simply is to provide myself with the space and time to dream, and also think about my life aside from the other titles that go along with being a woman. I can’t spend my time trying to keep up with what others are doing, or only doing what everyone else wants me to do. That is a waste of my own valuable creative energy. It sometimes takes time to figure out things for yourself, but in the end that brings more joy than following a perceived life criteria which was never written specifically for you anyway.

What have you learned from the journey of simple living?

(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)

Stay Connected with Minimalist Beauty & Subscribe with bloglovin’. Also Join the Community on Facebook & Twitter. For more about Dawn Michelle go here!

Ive learned that the more I let go of, the more I want to let go. Right now it seems like I can’t declutter enough, but I strive every day to do just a little more. Ive also become much more cognizant of what I bring into my life. The one thing that has become very evident is shopping has been my hobby. To stop the cycle of needless shopping has been so hard. Its like filling a void and I’m now working on finding more fulfilling ways to spend my time. I totally agree with what you wrote regarding simple beauty and chic styling. Not wanting to have a drawer full of cosmetics and closets stuffed full has been so liberating. I can look and feel just as good with less but more thought out items. Its a very freeing experience. Less items, less maintenance.. oh my I couldnt agree more. Its so much easier to keep the house clean and now its always presentable, I no longer worry if someone drops in. Not having a mess to come home to brings such a peace of mind. Now its really becoming a sanctuary from the stresses of the day. I still have a ways to go but I definitely am enjoying the process and dont see myself ever going back to a consumer driven lifestyle.

Hi Tracy,
I also feel like the more I let go, the more I want to let go. Once I began decluttering I became more comfortable with the process and also the more I became detached from the things that I wasn’t using and were just holding space in my home. Not having to worry about your home if someone drops in is a major benefit too! Thanks for sharing and best wishes!

Thank you for this eye opening post, I had embarked on a more simple lifestyle throughout 2013 and was coming along slowly but surely. However, something turned off after our move in 2014, I have been struggling to get back in the groove of decluttering and making more ‘ME’ time. I guess I originally slacked off because less stuff equals less stress therefore I wasn’t as gungho about it anymore. I still desire a simplified lifeand have high hope I will be back at it soon.

Hi Gia,
It’s fine to take time off from the process. Whenever I do take time off from decluttering I have more energy and excitement to do it when I start back up again. Living with less and only what you love that brings you joy is such a gift.

I’ve learned that it is easier to maintain simplicity in your life when you surround yourself with people with similar values. Reflecting back to the old material based days, I now see that I was afraid to establish boundaries and move towards those who believed the same. But it is a new day. Life is to precious and short to be occupied with “things.”

OMG!! What an eye-opening post! Honestly after reading it today I’ve deleted my subscribtions to other blogs, companies, etc that basically promote the ‘buy-buy-buy’ approach. Even though I’m grateful for all the information there is on internet and to the lovely blogger ladies that promote organic skincare/makeup, in the end they all promote more and more new products everyday. I’m such a sucker for new products, that I’ve really became a shopaholic in the last 2 years. I have more tons of products to go through, but keep buying more (even though I’ve promised myself not to do it). THANK YOU for this wonderful post! Today I feel is the first day of the rest of my life! 🙂 xx

Hi Manuela,
Wow what an amazing compliment! Thank you. No I honestly don’t believe in the need to buy a ton of products to achieve the results desired. I use to work in cosmetic retail, so I once believed in using tons of beauty products and I sold these products to clients. Even working in the industry I thought I needed to spend hundreds of dollars on beauty to keep up with the Hollywood beauty standards. I honestly wish I had known then what I know now. Regardless it is very freeing to now be a minimalist along with a simple beauty regimen!
Best wishes!

Hi Dawn Michelle,
I am on this journey and came to the realization that this is something that I want to do as I find a de-cluttered space is a healthy one and like you said full of new possibilities. I also have been looking at small homes with energy saving methods that not only save resources, but gives back cash too. It is amazing how freeing giving away and re-gifting things you don’t need or want is. Also,it helps with being better organized and a better use of time and less to clean over all.